Right T S Left T S, but No Brake Lights, Fixed, Thanks Guys!

[moosedrool]

I have a right turn, left turn, taillights, reverse lights, but no Brake Lights.

Brake Light switch is good, working properly, power to one side and switch opens when brakes are applied.

Right now I have the brake light switch off the pedal so I should always have brake lights until I get this figured out.

The wires running to the back of the pickup.

Black with red stripe--Backup Lights
Brown Wire--Tail Lights
Green Wire--Left Turn Signal
Yellow Wire w/brown stripe--Right Turn Signal

Two wires going to each tail light. One is tail light other is/Brake Turn Signal portion of the bulb.

The Turn signals are wired to each wire for Brake/Turn.
The Tail lights are splice to together to the corresponding wire.

Each turn signal works, individually, front and back.

However when hazard flashers are turned on they work on the front lights of the pickup but not the rear.

Any help on where to start so I can identify the problem is appreciated. I am thinking a problem in the turn signal switch or hazard light switch, but don't exactly know how about testing to determine which is the problem.

Also, I cut out the old connectors in the back of the truck out to clean things up, this could not be it could it?

[Thunderfoot]

Not sure what year truck you have but check out this digram I have attached. Take a "test light" to wire #10, this is the brake wire that goes through the Turn Signal Switch (TTS). if you have power there then the problem is in the TTS. I believe that this is where your problem is as the Emergency lights for the rear also use this same wire/circuit through the TSS.
You may be able to take the switch apart in the column and clean the contacts to get it working if this is the problem.
If you don't have power to this wire check the wires on each side of the connector to be sure it is making good connection.


This should get you on your way, if you have questions let me know.

Edit: I made change to correct wire number (#10) for brake light power.

[fmartin_gila1]

Sometimes the contacts in the TS switch get warm enough to "sink" into the plastic and don't make contact. You may need a net TS switch.
Fred

[nytreeman]

I had the exact same problem in my 67 no brakelight or rear flashers after chasing it all around it was the turn signal switch

[moosedrool]

Thunderfoot,

It is a 1971 F-250 4x4.

I have only been able to find a schematic for the 72.

I do not have power to the wire that you indicate. But, with the 71 I think it is different

What I have-- and Power to each

Top Right--Blue Wire Yellow Strip---Horn

Below Horn--- Green Wire White Stripe--Power with Left Turn Signal Flashing. With Flashers flashes w brake not depressed. Spits into two wires on other end of connector.

Below Previous--- White wire blue stripe--Power with Right Turn Signal Flashing With Flashers same as above. Splits into two wires on other end of connector.

Below Previous-- Green wire--Power with Right Turn Signal. With Flashers no power.

Top Wire----Solid Blue wire---Hot 12.5 volts when key is turned on, Test light will flash whenever left or right turn signal is turned on. (One strange thing, test light very dim when just key is turned on but flashes bright when either turn signal is turned on, even though voltage reads 12.5) With flashers remains dim with signal light but reads 12.5 volts.

Below previous---Red Wire Black Stripe----Hot whenever brake is depressed, turn signals on or off have no effect. When flashers are turned on flashes w/o brake pedal depressed, with brake goes solid. Spits into two wires other end of connector.

Below Previous---Yellow Wire Black Stripe----Hot with Left Turn Signal With flashers no power. Spits into two wires other end of connector.

All power is making it through turn signal connector, so it is good.

What next, really appreciate the help guys, driving me crazy.

[Thunderfoot]

Sorry, I should have said #10 for the brake lights #40 is for the turn signals (power/flash)...

This :"Below previous---Red Wire Black Stripe----Hot whenever brake is depressed, turn signals on or off have no effect. When flashers are turned on flashes w/o brake pedal depressed, with brake goes solid. Spits into two wires other end of connector. " is the brake wire that you tested...

This means that the power is getting to the TSS but the TSS is not getting it to the rear lights... This is a contact type switch and it sounds like it is bad... You can take the steering wheel off and get to the TSS and see if you can clean/fix the contact for this or replace the TSS. The wire may have even come disconnected on the switch itself so you may be able to just solder it back together... or the wire could have broken in the column...
To replace the switch you will need to remove the wires from the connector (there is a tool that makes it easier) and then you can pull the wires up the column to get it out. (do a search here and you will find the tools and info on replacing it)

FYI
on this;
"Top Wire----Solid Blue wire---Hot 12.5 volts when key is turned on, Test light will flash whenever left or right turn signal is turned on. (One strange thing, test light very dim when just key is turned on but flashes bright when either turn signal is turned on, even though voltage reads 12.5) With flashers remains dim with signal light but reads 12.5 volts. "
This is normal... This is the turn signal/flasher power wire... The way the flasher works it has to have a load on it to make it flash and some test lights don't have enough to make it flash or it might have a heavy duty flasher which also will need more load... anyway, it is normal what you seen here...

[moosedrool]

Thunderfoot,

Thanks for the help, I learned a lot more about the turn/brake light system than I ever really wanted to know. However at this time I have brake lights. I was able to buy a repair kit, just the white cam, on Easter Sunday no less. I replaced the cam and everything works fine. For the record, it looks like Gila was dead on. The thin wire that runs the brakes to switch from contact to contact was not connected to the "post". Appears that it got hot and the plastic melted. Seems like I heard that somewhere.

Thunkerfoot, I appreciate the detailed instructions and help. I hate just replacing parts without knowing if it will work or not, with your help I was able to be sure what was wrong. I did not want to remove the steering wheel, it has never been off the truck, and the threads where the wheel puller bolts screw in where gone. I ended up wrapping a small tie down strap around the wheel in a figure eight over the puller and pulling it that way.

Anyway, thanks for the help from everyone I appreciate it and you all saved me a bunch of time.

[Thunderfoot]

Good deal, glad you got it fixed up and working without to much trouble.
I feel the same way about throwing parts at something, a test light and volt meter are GREAT tools for sparky work.

[FormerMarine1981]

the threads where the wheel puller bolts screw in where gone. I ended up wrapping a small tie down strap around the wheel in a figure eight over the puller and pulling it that way.

Now thats thinking outside the box Good job.